special effect

American  

[spesh-uhl i-fekt] / ˈspɛʃ əl ɪˈfɛkt /

noun

Movies, Television.

1. Usually special effects a video or audio illusion in film or other media, created with computer-generated images, prosthetic makeup, pyrotechnics, etc. SFX

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Etymology

Origin of special effect

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

A scene in which Bill taps his glass eye with a knife was not some special effect.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

"Ryan is the special effect - that's the one thing we couldn't fix in post - Ryan's belief and his relationship with this character," he adds.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

If we are up close, we can use macro lenses and can slow things down, that could be a very special effect.

From Salon • Jan. 9, 2025

“Thank you … that was a nice special effect you guys did,” he said.

From Seattle Times • May 25, 2024

“That’s not right! It can’t be real! It’s a special effect or something, right? I mean, I can deal with little monsters with axes and blue fire tunnels and everything, but that’s not right!”

From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley